Master Plan Information

A municipal master plan serves as the Town's primary policy statement on future development in Burlington. The process will involve the assessment of current trends relative to the environment, natural and cultural resources, population, demographics, housing stock and economic opportunity. The legal basis for master planning in Massachusetts comes from Chapter 41, Section 81D of the General Laws of Massachusetts. This act requires communities to create Master Plans to “provide a basis for decision making regarding the long term physical development of the Municipality.” The law requires the plan to be consistent in its policies, forecasts, and standards. It also outlines a series of elements that must be addressed in the plan.

For those looking to become more involved:“A community is like a ship; everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm”

- Henrik Ibsen

Burlington’s Comprehensive Master Plan 2014 is setting sail, and to start the journey we need to form a Steering Committee to work with Consultants and Town staff in the development of the Plan. Are you prepared to take the helm?We are looking for looking for active & engaged citizen-sailors to serve on the Steering Committee for the duration of the Master Plan development process, which will reach land at the end of FY2015. The journey of the good ship Master Plan is in three runs: The first is the Community Character and Land Use section. The second will follow closely and will encompass Economic Development, Natural and Cultural Resources, Housing and Transportation. The third part of the journey is the Implementation and Strategies Plan—the most important piece; this last effort will hold fast all pieces and chart the course for putting our Plan into action.The 20-member citizen-sailor Steering Committee will consist of:

* 4 citizens (2 appointed by the Planning Board and 2 appointed by the Board of Selectman) * 3 Planning Board members * 2 Board of Selectman members * 3 Town Meeting members * and a member of the Board of Appeals, Board of Health, Conservation Commission, School Board, Council on Aging, Recreation Committee, and Chamber of Commerce and Property Owner/business representative.

Tasks of the Steering Committee

The time commitment would be approximately two meetings per month and attendance at community meetings and outreach functions. The Steering Committee will set its meeting schedule based on the needs and availability of the members.

1. Act as a liaison to your elected Board and commissions. 2. Assist in neighborhood outreach 3. Guide policy decisionsWhat we need to set sail…Appointments shall be made by each respective Board or Commission. The Town Meeting recommendations shall be made by the Town Moderator. Town Meeting Members shall submit their names to the Town Clerk to be forwarded to the Town Moderator. The Chamber will recommend a chamber representative. The last property owner/business representative will be appointed at large by the Steering Committee.

We ask that Boards and Commissions meeting in the month of June appoint their representative member(s).

We will be holding the first Master Plan Community Meeting on June 25th at the Marshall Simonds Middle School from 6 -9pm. We hope to announce the Steering Committee members at this town wide meeting.

Please forward the names of Board, Commission and other appointments to Kristin Kassner by June 20rd. Feel free to contact Kristin Kassner, Planning Director at781.270.1645 or kkassner@burlington.org if you have any questions or need any additional information.